Hi. We are a design/style LA based company specializing in mixing eclectic styles on moderate budgets. Also we have a strange amount of fun blogging about all our design and style adventures. Right now I’m happy to say that I’m Target’s home spokesperson, bringing accessible/stylish design to the masses.

Fall Fashion...

What I’m Wearing … My Favorite Fall Pieces

It’s been 85 degrees in LA which I take issue with and find offensive, but my body/closet was desperate for fall wardrobe so fall wardrobe I will wear. I made a big run to the Americana (a mall here in LA), bought some pieces online and spent a day mixing all of it with my current closet to find some new outfits that I love (despite returning some of them because I’m not grown up enough to handle their care). So here are my favorite new (and old) fall wardrobe pieces that I want to talk about.

– As a bustier gal a turtleneck is not normally my sweater-du-body, but this boxy lady with skinny/fitted arms is so soft, flattering and easy to wear. I made everyone in the office vote if I should keep this, knowing that it’s cashmere and that we live in LA and they gave a unanimous YES. They bullied me into buying this, but I will simply recommend this one to you (no office full of pressure).

– Otherwise known as the most forgiving pants on the planet. The waist does not cut in (in fact by the end of an active day they loose enough to fit your dinner) but the legs are always fitted, and people always call them super flattering.

– They are my favorite shoes that I’ve ever owned. In fact I went to Canada for two days with only these shoes – I wore them to the airport, all day at a design fair, that night at my speaking engagement, all night out and then the next day to the airport/on the plane. To travel internationally with a passport and only one pair of shoes says a lot. If you get them in another color they are equally as comfortable and flattering, although the nude (moon, I think) makes your legs like 5 inches longer.

MY LATEST VIDEOS

MY LATEST VIDEOS

(similar) – I bought that blouse a couple of years ago from Anthro, I think and it’s still going strong.

– A new one that I’ve already worn 3 times because it’s pretty easy to layer over anything due to its boxy nature (you know me well enough at this point – I like boxy on top, skinny on bottom due to my body type)

– Pre-Elliot jeans which are wonderful, that I’ve finally fit into (CUE LARGE EMOTIONAL APPLAUSE). Enough elastic at the waist to be forgiving (I’ll never lose that round of love around my waist) but fitted enough to not stretch out and keep legs looking long.

(similar) – I bought these last year (in spring, even) because I loved them so much but sadly I don’t know where to find them online.

– I love this lady a lot. But here is how this story ends: One of my two children will crush their raspberry covered hands into its shoulders while embracing me after I come home from work. I won’t stop it (because you never stop that) and then I’ll haphazardly throw it in the hamper where somebody, most likely myself, will wash it on high/hot speed. Then I’ll be disappointed in myself, again, for pretending to be able to handle such fabrics as silk and cashmere for casual clothes. A special silk dress is doable for night time occasions, but if something is supposed to be daytime and casual then cashmere it can’t be. But I bought it and loved it and wanted to endorse for those of you who are more apt at adulting than I am. It’s like tasting a burger as a vegetarian – it’s DELICIOUS, but not for me.

– Oh these ladies brought me back to my college years. I love them and get compliments every time I wear them (on the jeans and flattery). These are Brian’s current favorites.

– I can’t own the nude and the gold, but I figured I’d buy the gold and show you how great they are. They are ALMOST as good as the nude ones above, (and still available). And yes, Rachel Comey shoes are very expensive. It’s become a stupid splurge of mine and I’ve only regretted one pair (the mary jane clogs are unwearable). If you love the look but don’t want to spend the money ASOS and Madewell have VERY similar (sure, I’ll use the word ‘eerily’) to Comeys. Every now and again Sara will walk in wearing what I think must be Rachel Comey’s and she’s like ‘nah, these were $80 from ASOS. But yes, that brand is one that made my little shoe heart go pitter patter because they are simple, yet special (my new motto in design).

– Last year from Madewell but a great one. And I’m embracing the ‘button to the throat’ trend like I never knew I would.

– I bought this one last year (which is no longer available) and am shocked at how great it looks with everything (including shorts and mini-skirts).

– A solid pair of jeans that fit me on both good days and bad. Thank god for jeans like these.

– Oh geez. New ones that I can’t bring myself to return even though that was my intent. They are patent leather nude mules and they work officially with every outfit. I wish they were cheaper, I do, but I love them so much. If you don’t want to pay the price tag wait for the knock-offs that are surely coming (not that i’m supporting knock-offs, in fact I don’t, just speaking freely about the reality of the fashion industry – good or bad).

– She is an oldie but easy to layer and simple.

– I take issue with a lot of cardigans because they are so fitted that it makes impossible to layer. In LA I don’t want a big warm wool cardigan all the time, I want something medium weight, that won’t stretch out too fast, that is easy to layer over blouses/shirts and won’t add bulk. This may not look that flattering in these shots, but it is so easy to wear and detailed enough to be stylish and not boring.

– Enough elastic that I felt contained, but forgiving enough that I feel safe.

– As I was searching for nude shoes that could possibly rival my comey’s I found these and LOVE THEM. They have a bit more going on, but they are super comfortable, flattering and far more affordable. Your leg looks longer and yet your wallet doesn’t get that much smaller.

– Vintage from Express via Good Will. Super fitted and the only turtleneck that I layer with.

– UGH. Another one that I’m grappling with whether to return or not. I live in LA and therefore I don’t need this, but it’s so cute. If you live where it gets cold I highly recommend this coat. Its super flattering and easy to layer/wear. It’s such a good alternative to a dark long coat. I have three trips to New York in the next month so I may rationalize that I OBVIOUSLY need it.

– Frame is my favorite brand. Ever. Not because they pay me or even know I exist but because their jeans are good for my self esteem. (please read the hyperbolic comedy in that phrase – I know that clothes can’t actually create/diminish personal worth).

– See above. They are good.

– My new go-to. It looks like I care, while wearing a HUGE pajama top, basically. You have to style it up with skinnys and heels but when I do i’m psyched that I turned comfort into fashion. This is from a new company Accompany (a b-corp that is part of the Mercantile!!). I’ve bought so much of their jewelry and a few pieces of clothes and shoes that I LOVE.

– Again, good ones.

– You can’t see in the photos but they have such a cute block heel and are so comfortable. They are that perfect in between height. And in case you haven’t heard ….silver is the new gold …. (the blog internet just imploded).

I always like to see what people I follow are actually purchasing and wearing (not being gifted or sponsored) so if you are into these fashion posts, let me know. It’s such a great excuse for me to see what is happening in fashion, go through my closet and you know, CARE about what happens on my body.

HA. I wrote it at 11pm and honestly (and not to brag) I type REALLY FAST. like as fast as I think which means that my fingers often write ‘their’ when I know its ‘there’ or ‘right’ when I obviously know its ‘write’. This is no excuse but know that the posts with the worst grammar are the ones that are done before anyone gets to edit them. I can’t make my staff or a copy writer just be on call all the time, at the same time Its insanely hard to copy edit your own work ( maybe you just fall asleep because you know your feverish baby will wake up at 3am). So bear with me. Kidding. 🙂

I loved this post! You are just so cute and I think you have such a fun personal style. I am totally with you on cashmere and silk. I am a mom of 3 little ones, and they are pros at wrecking nice clothes. I also avoid white (which makes me very sad). It has been good, though, to revamp my closet with my lifestyle in mind. Life is too short to live in clothes that don’t work for your lifestyle. Embracing it.

P.S. I really appreciated your political posts. Thank you for being honest, but not super emotional. I am conservative, but I am friends with liberal people. We can’t shut out half of the country. We have to talk to one another honestly and thoughtfully.

I love when you do these posts! It’s fun to see how someone else is dressing for the season and how you style your pieces. It gives me ideas and I truly appreciate your candid and honest commentary. Plus, even when I don’t love specific pieces for me, I love seeing which categories you’re loyal to (ie mules) haha. I just love people’s personal styles.

All cute 🙂 You look fabulous!
Now – I know you have to hedge your statements because of your critics, but I do believe that clothes (just like many other items) can help with self-esteem. They don’t make you better or more prepared, more capable, or stronger… but they can help you feel all those things. After reading Dr. Amy Cuddy’s book Presence last year I firmly believe that physicality can help our minds. I have stopped feeling guilty that my love of fashion is superficial and bad because when I feel more confident I am more confident – I can be better, let my competence shine, and stick to my guns when needed. I’ve always liked crafting outfits as a way to feel prepared. I’m an architect (and a woman) so when I’m on a job site I am often the only woman present…it’s hard to be heard sometimes and if I’m dressed in something interesting I feel ready to take on the day and I do believe it helps me do a better job! I’m not saying that I need to be heard for my ego – My job is to represent my client and making sure that the physical execution of the building is true to the design. I have to be seen, I have to be remembered, and I have to make my voice heard. I wear bright colors and patterns (which i love) to help me be seen and remembered. My clothes communicate that I am creative and despite job sites being dirty and warm I always wear a jacket because I want to help others (and sometimes myself) remember that I have authority and I am there to be heard. Fashion isn’t always frivolous! I firmly believe it helps me be the best I can at a job I love. In some idyllic future where all people automatically grant respect and listen to others, then I wont need to be mindful of my clothes..but till then I’m going to be mindful of how I look and indulge in creative outfits 🙂

KEEP the perfect peacoat and the fashion posts! Eeryone else, leave this lady alone about the grammar and spelling! She is smart, she knows, and she is also in a hurry! Now I am off to purchase a few of those items.

I really love these fashion posts! They introduce me to knew brands, and I love seeing the pieces on you as opposed to just on hangers or models on online stores. Your style is adorable and one of my all-time favorites! Please keep them coming!

Every time you do a style post I think of MILLE, an exceptionally well curated shop in my town of Minneapolis. The owner is a mama of two and seems to be channels a similar style ethos as you. You should check out her site. The styling of her look books is fabulous. I know, you live in LA were there are a bajillion shops, but you seem like kindred spirits.

These posts are awesome. Younger me would get turned off by your price points, but current me knows that’s petty jealousy. Over it.

This is probably going in your memoir, but I’d love to hear your take on becoming a public face and body when your professional talent is not linked to that (i.e. you aren’t trying to be a professional model). You dealt with this early, being on a reality TV show (still want that dirt too!). Was it hard? Super gradual? Still weird? My employer gives me opportunities to be more public, but that’s not why I got into my career (science). I hate being in front of a camera, and god forbid live interviews. Curious minds…

I love the post and love how you put everything together and love how you structured it and love that everything’s actually purchased and I also buy things and then decide later what to keep and what not to so what I would say to another fashion post is…..YES PLEASE and thank you very much.

I really like this series, but I think I kind of speed through them because your body type is not my body type? So it’s hard to relate? I’m realll petite so it’s hard for me to get behind boxy flowy big on top – would look like a circus tent on me – but I think it looks so great on you!

Anyways, its still interesting to see other fashion perspectives so I still enjoy it! (maybe the EHD design team have other perspectives as well? )

These posts are fun because they show a little more of your personality and tastes. I like to see what you are thinking about trends. Is it just this post or that I’m only noticing that you don’t accessorize your clothing? Which is kind of funny since your design posts talk about accessories and styling a room with them (accessories). My blog reading has expanded from home design focused to personal fashion focused over the past few years. I have learned a lot about fashion (color, style/fit for body types, accessories, etc.) from this blog and started paying a lot of attention to how I accessorize when I dress.

I love these posts, and your style, but we have completely opposite body types (I have small boobs/shoulders/arms and big hips). I always look at the clothes you choose and know they would look terrible on me. I don’t know if this would veer to fashiony for your site, but would you ever consider dressing someone else (maybe someone else in your office?), or do a similar piece guest-written by someone who has a different body type?

I love these posts too, I have to say. Also, I’m curious about which Rachel Comeys are unwearable. Are you talking about the “Dekalb’ clogs? (I thought they were adorable on you and was thinking of getting a pair.)

I am a fan of your blog, I don’t think I have ever found another designer blog that posts so much good content, with so much variety! I recently moved to Australia, and unfortunately cannot purchase majority of the items that you recommend because US sellers usually don’t ship to the land down under. Do you or your team know of any Australian designer blog that is similar to yours? Thank you very much, keep up the amazing work!

Great fashion post! I love shoes. Anyone know a place to buy Comeys at an outlet? I love shoes and although I could probably afford 1 pair. I have a closet full of shoes and need to save some money for kid’s college.

That white coat is beautiful. Wish it was available in a different color.

I particularly like the striped cashmere sweater and all the jeans. And the shoes! Speaking of shoes, your favourite nude mules are really lovely and at $400 should last for years. But please show them how much you love them with some polish; they look really scruffy.

Love these posts! I am still in mad love with the Rachel
Comey Almer clogs from years ago! And cheers for the return of the flare jean! As a hippy (as in I have hips) girl, flares balance out the proportions and make me look long and lean even when I’m not so long or lean! #flaremagic

I LOVE THESE POSTS!
I’ve already em hendoed my 900sq foot home and now I get to work on my bod.
I’m a pear, so we don’t have the same needs, but i still get endless inspiration, shoes and jewelry.
I hope you do another beauty post. You are gorgeous.

Love your fashion posts! super useful, like talking with a friend. A couple years ago I discovered Reiko Trousers. I have a feeling you would love them too. My favorite one are the Chino Trousers Sandy. awesome fit and quality. They are a little bit pricey but sooo worth it.

I have to say that it really bothers me that nude anything is NOT my nude. They actually hire people to come up with evocative paint names….why can’t they come up with a name that doesn’t exclude more than half the female population? Reminds me of the Band-Aid conundrum.

Definitely yes to this post! I love that stripe top (not that I need any more stripes in my closet, I have so many you would think I live on a boat…). I like posts like these that are real and honest, and the clothes are ones you actually paid for. I’m really tired of people talking up great clothes and how much YOU TOO should buy them (and then seeing the asterisk that says that $493 top – which I’m to willing to pay for – was actually given to them for free, so how unbiased is their opinion anyway?)

Anyway, yes to more fashion posts! I’m currently seeking designers for my kitchen, and the way they dress does actually give me an insight as to whether we will be a good match or not (causal is my kind of gal!)

cute outfits!
Just a tiny – but lifesaving – tip for owning cashmere & silk : I bought an extra laundry basket for “super delicates”. Anything that needs extra care gets thrown in there, and once in a while we do laundry load with only those. Since we’ve had it, nothing has shrunk! And as long as you wash it on a cold cycle, cashmere actually gets softer and softer with every wash.

just wanted to say, yes! love these fashion posts, keep them coming. i have mentally bookmarked frame so i can check them out next time i’m at nordstrom…though i JUST bit the bullet and bought those rachel comey nude mules!! i’ve noticed you wearing them lately in your posts (or IG stories? i’m not sure) and i always thought they look so great on you EVERY TIME. they’re so flattering! ugh, it did hurt a bit to click “purchase” (and i pray i ordered the right size).
anyway, thanks for sharing the real stuff you buy, lust for or end up returning. it’s refreshing. also, you’re looking great! are you still working out? or on that plants-based diet? whatever it is, it’s working. and inspiring me to be better (this whole FT working mom of 2 young kids thing is hard). and with that, TGIF.

The ads on your site are taking up half my screen on my phone. I’m leaving the comment because it’s too hard to read your site. I like your style but every time I go back to the home page the ad starts again, counting down. I can’t read it:/ bye

Hello!

Emily is a stylist, author and T.V. host with a strong commitment to vintage inspired approachable home style for every single person. Perfection is boring; Let’s get weird. learn more

Interior Design Blog by Youxi988

I started this interior design blog in 2010 as a journal of my style and home projects with the belief that design should be approachable, informational and accessible no matter what budget.

As a home style expert who has a strong commitment to peeling back the intimidating layers of the world of home decor, and showing how every person can have a beautiful home that represents their personality, no matter what the budget.

After styling for magazines and catalogues for years, I started my own interior design blog, won HGTV Design Star, and have gone on to host my own hit TV show Secrets from a Stylist, Author the book STYLED, and create the design firm Youxi988 Design.

My motto has always been to write and publish on my blog what I personally want to read about.